Game 10: Home sweet home vs. MTL

After six weeks, a trip to Banff, four preseason games in five nights, nine games on the road, four games in six nights, four games on the west coast, two blowouts, a pair of games that have left some hope, and an overtime winner, the Rangers have finally returned to Madison Square Garden. They return home a little banged up at 3-6 and missing their captain, best player, and best puck possession forward. But they are home.

The Montreal Canadiens are first up for the Rangers as they begin a stretch of games where they will play 9 of 12 at home, with 1 of the away games on Long Island. Under Michel Therrien, the Canadiens play a 1-2-2 forecheck, but do use a 2-1-2 style infrequently based on the score and puck location. In the defensive zone, the Canadiens overload the boards first, then collapse low based on puck location. It’s actually very interesting, as Therrien has said in the past that they overload because of their team size (note: small), and they use their speed to their advantage to outnumber the opponent on the wall and force turnovers.

That was a solid effort by the Rangers, who played a smart game. Not only was that phantom call on Kreider unwarranted, but it took away a breakaway by Brassard which looked very much like the tying goal. Calls will sometimes not go your way in hockey, partially when your playing against the Montreal Canadiens.